Mixed feelings follow Jetstar announcement
Mixed feelings follow Jetstar announcement
There are mixed feelings at Christchurch Airport today after Jetstar’s announcement of increased domestic services from mid-November.
Chief Executive Jim Boult says the airline’s growth is welcome news, as is the announcement of increased services on the main trunk routes.
“This will mean an extra
131,000 additional seats into Christchurch each year, which
is, of course, good news,” says Mr Boult.
“We are New
Zealand’s second largest airport, so the extra services
between Christchurch and Wellington are sure to be well
received, as will the timings of the services between
Christchurch and Auckland.
“However we are surprised and disappointed to see five weekly services between Christchurch and Queenstown suspended.
“Christchurch Airport is acknowledged as the gateway to the South Island, with five times the volume of any other airport in the South Island. That volume, of both people and freight, is sure to increase as the city’s rebuild changes up a gear, so we are surprised Jetstar is not positioning to take advantage of that.
“We are working hard to
bring the world south, talking to international airlines
interested in flying here. The Government’s recent
relaxing of Air Service Agreements effectively mean Open
Skies over Christchurch for the next four years, which is
attractive to airlines.”
END